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Real Estate Isn’t a Game

By
Education & Training with Ludwig & Associates

  

Motivational Power Quote

 

Real Estate Isn’t a Game   

“Football is not a contact sport.

It’s a collision sport,

dancing is a good example of a contact sport.”

Duffy Daugherty, football player and coach, 1915 -1987      

 

As I see it . . . . . . .

 

Real estate isn’t a game

 

I would like to share a story with you regarding an interview that I conducted with a candidate for a sales position with one of the companies that I consult with.

 

The owner/broker of the business asked me to conduct a second interview with the candidate. He told me that he had good vibes with about Fred (not his real name) and that Fred seemed to be a go getter.

 

I called Fred and we scheduled a meeting.

 

Fred showed 20 minutes early for the appointment so we’re off to a good start.

 

When I greeted him and we shook hands and his right hand swung from his side with the force of a punch. When he grasped my right hand I felt that he was engaging in a arm wrestling contest and was going for the take down.

 

I said; Fred you have some handshake. And he instantly responded, I want people to know that I’m aggressive and in control when they meet me. I asked him how he would shake a hand an older woman or man. He looked puzzled with the question and replied that he never gave a thought.

 

In the interview it came out that Fred looked shaking someone’s hand as a contest. He felt that if he could dominate shaking someone’s hand he would be in control. 

 

In the interview I asked him why he was interested in becoming a real estate professional? He replied that he wanted to give the real estate game a try.

 

Using Fred’s words I asked him why he wanted to give real estate a try.  He told me that people he met told him that he could make big money in real estate and he wanted to make a lot of money.

 

I also asked him why those people felt that he would be successful in real estate and said that they told him that he was a good talker.

 

As we reviewed his resume his last five jobs lasted between 4 months and a little over a year. As we reviewed his jobs and why he left the positions it came down to “it was a bad fit or there was no growth potential.” What about the job that your where at for 15 months? He told me that he has able to stay with the company longer because he was living with a girl friend.

 

As I walked with Fred to the front door I had one last question. Fred I said what was the last professional development book that you read? Fred eyes had a blank look in them. Enough said

 

Based on the story would you hire Fred?

 

When I spoke with the broker about Fred, my recommend to the broker not to hire him.

 

My reasoning was Fred did not connect with people, he looked at real estate as game and he had to be in control. Fred was a job drifter and was looking for a big hit and has not invested in his professional development.

 

After we spoke for awhile the broker said that Fred was aggressive and that he had good vibes so he was going to hire Fred. 

 

This story was a eleven months in the making. Fred worked with the broker for eleven months. In that time Fred had a Code of Ethics complaint filed against him. He created issues with customers and follower brokers and had a negative effort on the brokers reputation and business.

 

Real estate isn’t a game it’s a business for professionals.  

 

©2012 Lou Ludwig, Sales and Management Consultant, Success Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author

 

 

 

Comments (8)

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Lou, the quote, simple and short, and so correct...and the relatiion to real estate? Dead on!

Jan 11, 2012 02:49 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Lou - I would not have hired Fred, you are absolutely right, real estate is not a game.

Jan 11, 2012 02:57 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I definitely would not have hired him either.  One of the things I have always looked for is someone who takes their job seriously and staying power. 

Jan 11, 2012 09:36 AM
Broker Patty Da Silva Da Silva
Green Realty Properties® - 954-667-7253 - Cooper City, FL
Top Listing Broker

Lou, I would not have hire him.

As a matter of fact, I might have not hire "Fred" already... this story seems so similar to someone I decided not to hire last year.

Jan 11, 2012 11:56 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

I've been Fred, maybe not to the extent of him, but I've been him. Fortunately, I figured it out early enough. This was a great reminder, thank you for sharing Fred with us.

Jan 11, 2012 12:55 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Big difference between confident and aggressive, like football and dancing! Enjoy your day!

Jan 11, 2012 11:12 PM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Lou,

Football definitely is a collision sport. Sales is a contact sport. :)

Steve

Jan 12, 2012 03:06 PM
Don Hess
KW Elite Keller Williams 1280 Plaza Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601 - Quarryville, PA

Unfortunately Fred is like too many people these days, looking for a short cut to success and not willing to invest any time in their career.

Jan 19, 2012 04:05 AM